Melissa Recovery Mission
Hurricane recovery and community health support for Jamaica's hardest-hit regions.
When Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica's southern and western corridors, it left communities along the A2 roadway severely disrupted. Roads were blocked, homes damaged, communication systems down, and many communities cut off from basic services. The storm exposed deep vulnerabilities in access to healthcare, chronic care continuity, and safe shelter conditions.
The Intellibus Care Foundation joined a coordinated multi-agency mission with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), World Digital Governance (WDG), UN agencies, and civilian support teams to deliver urgent relief, medical care, community assessments, and structured data for national recovery planning.
Mission Snapshot
People Directly Assisted
Hundreds of residents along the A2 corridor—from Black River to Savanna-la-Mar—received supplies, support, or medical attention.
Medical Outreach
Over 100 individuals received medical care, including wound care, chronic disease support, first-aid guidance, and mental health first-aid delivered by four doctors and three nurses deployed in the mission.
Communities Reached
Residents along multiple communities—including Luana, Bluefields, Petersfield High School Shelter, and adjoining settlements—were assessed, supported, and engaged.
Strategic Coverage
The mission restored supply lines to forward bases in Luana, Bluefields, and Montego Bay, enabling continued relief operations.
Mission Phases
Phase 1: Immediate Relief & Medical Outreach (Completed)
Within a tight 24-hour window, joint teams:
- Delivered critical food, water, and medical supplies from Kingston to western Jamaica.
- Set up mobile medical support for residents and JDF personnel.
- Provided on-the-spot care to individuals unable to access clinics due to blocked roads, damaged infrastructure, and transportation breakdowns.
Phase 2: Community Assessment & Engagement (Completed)
Teams walked through affected zones, shelters, and settlements to document:
- Chronic care interruptions
- Lack of lighting and communication access
- Damage to homes and public spaces
- Scarcity of hygiene products, baby items, and feminine care supplies
- Emotional distress and urgent need for psychosocial support
This data now guides procurement, relief prioritization, and follow-up missions across multiple parishes.
Phase 3: Infrastructure & Safety Evaluation (In Progress)
Ground teams identified:
- Dangerous power lines and leaning poles
- Washed-out road sections and inaccessible hill communities
- Inadequate lighting around shelters
- Lack of secure communication channels during emergencies
These findings informed cross-agency recommendations for power, safety, mobility, and emergency-communications improvements.
Phase 4: Long-Term Recovery & System Strengthening (Ongoing)
Aligned with national partners, the Foundation contributes to ongoing efforts including:
- Expanding mobile clinics for chronic care and follow-up
- Deploying telemedicine and telepsychiatry units to underserved communities
- Supporting Starlink expansion in shelters and disaster zones
- Training community responders in basic medical and emergency-support skills
- Enhancing supply chain readiness for maternal, infant, and chronic-care items
These steps strengthen Jamaica's resilience for future disaster seasons.
Key Observations From the Field
Healthcare Gaps
- Limited access to chronic medications
- High demand for vitamins, tetanus prophylaxis, first aid, and maternal/child care items
- No nearby functional health facilities in several zones
Shelter Conditions
- Overcrowding at central shelters
- Insufficient lighting, leading to safety concerns
- Communities sleeping in homes with severe structural damage
- Need for weather-resistant temporary housing
Infrastructure Damage
- Blocked or partially collapsed roads
- Downed electrical lines creating extreme hazards
- Trucks damaged by hanging wires and unstable road edges
Communication Failures
- UHF radio failures between regions
- Only one Starlink unit serving over 200 people in one shelter
- Residents unable to reach family or emergency support
Building Resilience Going Forward
Guided by on-the-ground evidence, national partners have prioritized:
Telemedicine & Digital Health Access
Deploying telemedicine units to ensure ongoing care when facilities are inaccessible.
Power & Lighting Reinforcement
Solar lighting, charging hubs, and regulated generator access.
Communications Infrastructure
Unified emergency channels and expanded satellite connectivity.
Shelter Improvement
Modular shelters and reinforcement of existing temporary structures.
Health System Readiness
Mobile vaccination drives, chronic-care resupply, emergency supply caches.
Latest Update
The Melissa Recovery Mission has strengthened Jamaica's understanding of community-level needs and set the stage for multi-agency follow-up missions to Clarendon, Hanover, Trelawny, and St. James. A coordinated procurement strategy, improved convoy protocols, and an integrated command structure are now being implemented for future missions.
Most importantly, the mission reaffirmed the resilience of the Jamaican people and the importance of data-driven, community-centered recovery—a model the Foundation continues to support through telemedicine, community outreach, and sustained national collaboration.
Support Hurricane Recovery in Jamaica
Help us continue community-centered recovery and resilience building
Donate Now